Oral appliance

ABSTRACT

An oral appliance includes an upper arched frame, an upper moldable tray coupled to the upper arched frame, a lower arched frame, and a lower moldable tray coupled to the lower arched frame. The upper arched frame includes a first tab and a second tab being positioned, with respect to each other, on opposite sides of a plane substantially bisecting the upper arched frame. The lower arched frame includes a third tab extending from the lower arched frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.16/427,524, entitled “Oral Appliance,” which was filed May 31, 2019,which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/931,942 nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,376,408, entitled “Oral Appliance,” which was filedNov. 4, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.14/834,149, entitled “Oral Appliance,” which was filed Aug. 24, 2015,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/041,486, entitled “Oral Appliance,” which was filed Aug. 25, 2014,having common inventorship, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to medical and dental devices, and moreparticularly to an apparatus for prevention of snoring and improvedbreathing.

BACKGROUND

Many people experience difficulty sleeping because of breathingproblems. These problems may result in snoring, or the more seriouscondition of sleep apnea. One treatment for sleep breathing disordersinvolves the use of dental devices for extending forward the lower jawof the patient. These devices operate to more fully open the breathingpassageway, thereby allowing for easier breathing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, an oral appliance includes an upper arch, a lowerarch, and an electronic device. The upper arch is configured to bepositioned within a user's mouth proximate the user's maxillarydentition when the upper arch is positioned in the user's mouth. Thelower arch is configured to be positioned proximate the user'smandibular dentition when the lower arch is positioned in the user'smouth. The electronic device is coupled to one or more of the upper archand the lower arch, the electronic device configured to monitor afeature of the environment proximate one or more of the upper arch andthe lower arch.

In another embodiment, an apparatus includes an arched seal and anelectronic device. The arched seal includes a flexible material and isconfigured to engage one or more of an upper arch and a lower arch of anoral appliance. The arched seal is also configured to be positionedbetween a user's dentition and the user's lips when the oral applianceis positioned in the user's mouth. The arched seal is further configuredto inhibit the user's breathing through the user's mouth when the archedseal is positioned in the user's mouth. The arched seal is alsoconfigured to extend beyond the cuspids of the user's dentition when thearched seal is positioned in the user's mouth. The electronic device iscoupled to the arched seal, the electronic device configured to monitora feature of the environment proximate the arched seal.

In another embodiment, an oral appliance includes an upper arch, a lowerarch, a coupler, a seal, and an electronic device. The upper arch isconfigured to be positioned within a user's mouth proximate the user'smaxillary dentition when the upper arch is positioned in the user'smouth. The upper arch includes a first upper attachment point and asecond upper attachment point. The first attachment point and the secondattachment point are positioned, with respect to each other, on oppositesides of a plane substantially bisecting the upper arch. The lower archis configured to be positioned proximate the user's mandibular dentitionwhen the lower arch is positioned in the user's mouth. The coupler isconfigured to couple the upper arch to the lower arch and to establish aposition of the user's mandibular arch relative to the user's maxillaryarch when the upper and lower arches are positioned in the user's mouth.The seal is configured to couple to the upper arch at the first andsecond upper attachment points to inhibit breathing through the user'smouth when the oral appliance is positioned in the user's mouth. A firstportion of the seal configured to be positioned proximate the upper archis thicker than a second portion of the seal configured to be positionedproximate the lower arch to allow the lower arch to move relative to theupper arch when the upper arch and the lower arch are positioned in theuser's mouth. The seal is configured to be positioned between the user'sdentition and the user's lips when the oral appliance is positioned inthe user's mouth to inhibit breathing through the user's mouth. Theelectronic device is coupled to the seal. The electronic device isconfigured to monitor one or more of a temperature, a movement, an airflow, a pulse, and a blood oxygen level.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more technical advantages. Atechnical advantage of an embodiment includes providing space for thetongue to rest behind the maxillary incisors when the oral appliance ispositioned in a user's mouth. A technical advantage of one embodimentincludes improved structural support for the second arched frame. Atechnical advantage of one embodiment includes improved flexibility ofthe oral appliance when molding for a user's teeth. A technicaladvantage of one embodiment includes inhibiting the flow of air througha user's mouth. Another technical advantage of one embodiment includesreduced snoring. A technical advantage of an embodiment includesallowing for monitoring of certain environmental and/or biologicalfeatures proximate an oral appliance so that the oral appliance may beadjusted based on that monitoring. Certain embodiments may provide oneor more of these advantages while minimizing, eliminating, or preventinga portion of an oral appliance or seal from protruding outside a user'smouth past the lips. Certain embodiments of the invention may includenone, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more othertechnical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the artfrom the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1A shows an upper arched frame and a lower arched frame;

FIG. 1B shows an upper arch and a lower arch;

FIGS. 1C-D show an upper arch;

FIGS. 1E-F show a lower arch and a coupler;

FIG. 1G shows an upper arch, a lower arch, and a coupler;

FIGS. 2A-B show a seal;

FIG. 2C shows a seal coupled to an upper arch;

FIG. 2D shows a seal coupled to an upper arch and a lower arch;

FIG. 2E shows a cross section of a seal coupled to an upper arch and alower arch;

FIG. 3A shows an oral appliance that includes an upper arched frame anda lower arched frame;

FIGS. 3B-C show a lower arched frame;

FIGS. 3D-F show an oral appliance that includes an upper arched frameand a lower arched frame;

FIGS. 4A-C show a seal;

FIGS. 5A-D show a seal and an oral appliance; and

FIGS. 6A-B show an oral appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are bestunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1A through 6B, like numerals being usedfor like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Oral appliances may alleviate snoring while a user is sleeping. Forexample, oral appliances may include mechanisms that push or pull on theuser's lower jaw to open the user's breathing passageways, which mayreduce snoring. Oral appliances may also help treat more seriousconditions such as sleep apnea. In a particular embodiment, an oralappliance may be configured to allow a space behind the maxillaryincisors in which a user's tongue can rest when the oral appliance ispositioned in the user's mouth.

Oral appliances may include an upper arch and a lower arch. The upperarch may be fit for the user's upper dental arch (maxillary arch). Thelower arch may be fit for the user's lower dental arch (mandibulararch). The positioning of the arches in the user's mouth may be adjustedto adjust the forward position of the user's jaw. By changing theposition of the jaw, snoring and sleep apnea may be treated.

Each arch may include an arched frame and a moldable tray coupled to thearched frame. The arched frame provides structural support. The moldabletray may be heated and molded to conform to the user's teeth. In thismanner, the arch may be configured to fit comfortably over the user'steeth when the oral appliance is positioned in the user's mouth.

A seal may be configured to engage the oral appliance to inhibit theflow of air through the user's mouth. The seal may rest in the regionbetween the user's teeth and the user's lips when positioned in theuser's mouth. As a result, the seal may encourage the user to breathethrough his nose when the oral appliance is positioned in the user'smouth, which may prevent drooling and may prevent the user's mouth fromdrying. The seal and/or oral appliance may reduce snoring when they arepositioned in the user's mouth. The seal is beneficial when used with aCPAP system that delivers a flow of gas to a user's nasal passage.Additional description of oral appliances and CPAP systems may be foundin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,968 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/009,821, both of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Sometimes, oral appliances and/or seals may protrude from the user'smouth when the user is wearing the oral appliance and/or seal. Someusers may find these protrusions to be undesirable because of thenegative effect on their appearance. Certain oral appliances and sealsdisclosed herein may be configured to minimize, eliminate, or preventcertain portions of the oral appliance and/or seal from protruding outof or extending beyond the user's lips. In this manner, the user'scosmetic appearance may not be negatively affected when wearing the oralappliance and/or seal.

FIGS. 1A-1G show an oral appliance that may minimize, eliminate, orprevent protrusions from the user's mouth when the oral appliance ispositioned in the user's mouth. FIGS. 2A-2E show a seal that couples tothe oral appliance. The seal may also minimize, eliminate, or preventprotrusions from the user's mouth when the seal and oral appliance arepositioned in the user's mouth.

FIGS. 3A-3F show an oral appliance that has an adjustable coupler. Byadjusting the position of the coupler, the forward position of theuser's jaw may be adjusted when the oral appliance is positioned in theuser's mouth. FIGS. 4A-5D show a seal and an oral appliance. The sealmay couple to the oral appliance by engaging a post of the oralappliance. The seal may include an electronic compliance monitor. FIGS.6A-6B show an oral appliance with slots that improve the flexibility ofthe oral appliance.

Although different features are shown in different figures, thisdisclosure contemplates any illustrated embodiment including any featureshown in any figure. For example, the slots shown in FIGS. 6A-6B may beincorporated into any of the oral appliance shown in FIGS. 1A-1G. Asanother example, the electronic compliance monitor shown in FIGS. 4A-5Dmay be incorporated into the seal shown in FIGS. 2A-2E.

FIGS. 1A-1G show an oral appliance. The oral appliance may be positionedin a user's mouth to adjust the forward position of the user's jaw whilesleeping. In certain embodiments, the oral appliance may be configuredto minimize, eliminate and/or prevent certain portions of the oralappliance from protruding out of the user's mouth when the oralappliance is positioned in the user's mouth. The oral appliance mayinclude an upper arch, a lower arch, and a coupler. The upper arch andlower arch may each include an arched frame and a moldable tray.

FIG. 1A shows an upper arched frame 101 and a lower arched frame 102.The upper arched frame 101 and the lower arched frame 102 may providestructural support for the upper arch and the lower arch. Upper archedframe 101 and lower arched frame 102 may both include an arched bodythat is configured to receive a moldable tray. Shelf 105 and attachmentpoints 115 may be coupled to the arched body of upper arched frame 101.Ridge 110 may be coupled to shelf 105. In certain embodiments, bothupper arched frame 101 and lower arched frame 102 may includepolycarbonate or any similar semi-rigid thermoplastic that can withstand100 degrees Celsius without deforming, such as for example, nylon and/orpolycarbonate resin thermoplastic.

FIG. 1B shows upper arch 100 and lower arch 125. As provided in FIG. 1B,upper arch 100 may include upper arched frame 101 coupled to uppermoldable tray 120. Lower arch 125 may include lower arched frame 102coupled to lower moldable tray 135. Both upper moldable tray 120 andlower moldable tray 135 may be configured to deform when heated. Thisdeformation may cause upper moldable tray 120 and lower moldable tray135 to conform to a particular surface, such as the surface of a user'sdentition. In this manner, upper moldable tray 120 and lower moldabletray 135 may be configured to receive the upper and lower teeth of auser. In certain embodiments, both upper moldable tray 120 and lowermoldable tray 135 may include polycaprolactone.

FIGS. 1C and 1D show upper arch 100 of the oral appliance when uppermoldable tray 120 has been configured to receive a user's upperdentition. Upper arched frame 101 and moldable tray 120 may form theupper body of upper arch 100. Upper moldable tray 120 may be configuredto substantially cover the teeth of a user's maxillary arch. When upperarch 100 is positioned in the user's mouth, upper arch 100 (includingupper arched frame 101 and upper moldable tray 120) may be positionedproximate the occlusal surface of the user's maxillary arch.Furthermore, upper arched frame 101 and moldable tray 120 may extendbeyond the cuspids of the user's maxillary arch when upper arch 100 ispositioned in the user's mouth.

Upper arched frame 101 may include shelf 105. In particular embodiments,shelf 105 may extend in a facial direction from a portion of upperarched frame 101. Shelf 105 may extend across the midline of upperarched frame 101. Shelf 105 may be configured to be positioned proximateto the dental midline of the user's maxillary arch when upper arch 100is positioned in the user's mouth. Shelf 105 may measure ten to thirtymillimeters from one lateral end to another lateral end of shelf 105.Shelf 105 may couple to upper arched frame 101 across the length ofshelf 105. In certain embodiments, shelf 105 may allow for lateralmovement of a coupler over the length of shelf 105.

Ridge 110 may be coupled to shelf 105 along a facial end of shelf 105.Ridge 110 may extend across the midline of upper arched frame 101. Ridge110 may be configured to inhibit the disengagement of a coupler. Forexample, if the coupler is a hook, ridge 110 may provide a surface ontowhich the hook can hook. In certain embodiments, the positioning ofridge 110 may allow for ridge 110 to be in a user's mouth when upperarch 100 is positioned in the user's mouth. For example, a facialsurface ridge 110 may be not more than ten millimeters away from afacial surface of the user's upper central incisor when upper arch 100is positioned in the user's mouth. In this manner, upper arch 100 may beconfigured to minimize, eliminate or prevent portions of upper arch 100from protruding out of the user's mouth when upper arch 100 ispositioned in the user's mouth.

Attachment points 115 may be configured to engage a seal that inhibitsbreathing through the user's mouth when upper arch 100 and the seal arepositioned in the user's mouth. As illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D, upperarch 100 may include two attachment points 115 positioned with respectto each other on opposite sides of a plane substantially bisecting upperarch 100. This disclosure contemplates upper arch 100 including anyappropriate number of attachment points 115. For example, upper arch 100may include only one attachment point 115 positioned at the midline ofupper arch 100. In certain embodiments, attachment points 115 may betabs extending from upper arch 100.

FIGS. 1E and 1F illustrate a lower arch 125 of the oral appliance whenlower moldable tray 135 has been configured to receive a user's lowerteeth. Lower arch 125 may include a lower arched frame 102 and lowermoldable tray 135. FIGS. 1E and 1F also illustrate a coupler 130.

Lower arch 125 may be configured to be positioned proximate the user'smandibular arch when lower arch 125 is positioned in the user's mouth.Lower arched frame 102 and lower moldable tray 135 may be configured tobe positioned proximate the occlusal surface of the user's mandibulararch when lower arch 125 is positioned in the user's mouth. Lower archedframe 102 and lower moldable tray 135 may extend beyond the cuspids ofthe user's mandibular arch when lower arch 125 is positioned in theuser's mouth. In certain embodiments, lower arched frame 102 includespolycarbonate resin thermoplastic and lower moldable tray 135 includespolycaprolactone.

Coupler 130 may be configured to couple to lower arched frame 102. Forexample, coupler 130 may be configured to couple to a portion of lowerarched frame 102 at a point along the midline of lower arched frame 102as shown in FIG. 1D. Coupler 130 may be further configured to beremovable from lower arched frame 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1C. Coupler130 may be a hook or any appropriate mechanism for engaging upper arch100.

Coupler 130 may be configured to engage a portion of upper arch 100. Forexample, coupler 130 may be configured to engage shelf 105 and/or ridge110 of upper arch 100. In certain embodiments, coupler 130 may engageshelf 105 and/or ridge 110 before upper arch 100 and lower arch 125 areinserted in the user's mouth.

FIG. 1G shows an upper arch 100, a lower arch 125, and a coupler 130. Asprovided in FIG. 1G, upper arch 100 may be coupled to lower arch 125 byway of coupler 130. For example, coupler 130 may hook onto shelf 105and/or ridge 110. Ridge 110 may inhibit coupler 130 from disengagingupper arch 100. When the oral appliance is positioned in the user'smouth, upper arch 100, lower arch 125 and coupler 130 may establish aposition of the user's mandibular arch and/or jaw relative to the user'smaxillary arch. In this manner, the oral appliance may reduce the user'ssnoring and/or sleep apnea. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1G,shelf 105 may allow lower arch 125 to move laterally with respect toupper arch 100 when lower arch 125 is coupled to upper arch 100. In thismanner, the user's jaw may continue to move laterally with respect tothe user's maxillary arch when the oral appliance is positioned in theuser's mouth.

FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate a seal configured to couple to an oralappliance. The seal may be configured to inhibit the user's breathingthrough the user's mouth when the oral appliance and seal are positionedin the user's mouth. In this manner, the user may be encouraged tobreathe through the nose which may reduce snoring and dryness of themouth.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a seal 200. Seal 200 may include a lowerportion 205, an upper portion 210, a lower cavity 215, and an uppercavity 220. Seal 200 may include a flexible material such as siliconerubber. Seal 200 may be configured to attach to an oral appliance. Incertain embodiments, seal 200 may attach to the oral appliance by way oflower cavity 215 and upper cavity 220. When seal 200 is attached to theoral appliance and the oral appliance is positioned in the user's mouth,seal 200 may inhibit the user's breathing through the user's mouth. Thismay encourage the user to breathe through the user's nose while the useris sleeping. This may also reduce dryness of the mouth while the user issleeping.

In certain embodiments, seal 200 may allow for a lower arch of the oralappliance to move relative to an upper arch of the oral appliance whenseal 200 is coupled to the oral appliance. For example, by varying thethickness of the material used to form seal 200, the flexibility ofthose portions of seal 200 may be increased. By increasing theflexibility of those portions of seal 200, the corresponding portions ofthe oral appliance may be allowed to move more freely.

Seal 200 may be configured to extend past the cuspids of the user'sdentition when seal 200 is positioned in the user's mouth. Seal 200 mayfurther be configured to be positioned in the region between the user'steeth and the user's lips when seal 200 is positioned in the user'smouth. In this manner, seal 200 may be configured to minimize, eliminateor prevent portions of seal 200 from protruding out of the user's mouthwhen seal 200 is positioned in the user's mouth.

Lower portion 205 may be configured to be positioned proximate theuser's mandibular arch when seal 200 is positioned in the user's mouth.Upper portion 210 may be configured to be positioned proximate theuser's maxillary arch when seal 200 is positioned in the user's mouth.In certain embodiments, lower portion 205 may be thinner than upperportion 210. In this manner, lower portion 205 may be more flexible thanupper portion 210. As a result, a lower arch of an oral appliancecoupled to seal 200 may be able to move more freely relative to an upperarch of the oral appliance coupled to seal 200.

Upper cavity 220 may be configured to attach to an upper arch of an oralappliance. For example, upper cavity 220 may be configured to attach tothe upper arch. Using the example of FIG. 1A, upper cavity 220 may beconfigured to attach to an attachment point 115 of upper arch 100. Incertain embodiments, attachment point 115 may be a tab. This disclosurecontemplates seal 200 including any appropriate number of upper cavities220 in any appropriate configuration. For example, seal 200 may includeonly one upper cavity 220 positioned at a point along the midline ofseal 200. As another example, and as shown in FIG. 2B, seal 200 mayinclude multiple upper cavities 220 on opposite sides of seal 200.

Seal 200 may include a plurality of lower cavities 215. Each lowercavity 215 may be configured to couple to a lower arch of the oralappliance. For example, each lower cavity 215 may be configured toengage a tab extending from the lower arch. Seal 200 may have lowercavities 215 and corresponding lower cavities 215 on opposite sides ofseal 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

By engaging the lower arch to various lower cavities 215, thepositioning of the lower arch relative to the upper arch may beadjusted. By adjusting this position, the tensile force exerted on thelower arch relative to the upper arch may be adjusted. For example,coupling the lower arch to a first set of lower cavities 215 may resultin the lower arch being pulled more forward relative to the upper archthan if the lower arch coupled to a second set of lower cavities 215. Inthis manner, the positioning of the user's mandibular arch relative tothe user's maxillary arch may be adjusted when the oral appliance ispositioned in the user's mouth.

FIG. 2C shows seal 200 coupled to an upper arch 225. As provided in FIG.2C, upper arch 225 may couple to seal 200 via upper cavity 220. Asshown, upper arch 225 may include a tab 221 that is configured to engageupper cavity 220.

FIG. 2D illustrates seal 200 coupled to upper arch 225 and lower arch230. As illustrated in FIG. 2D, lower arch 230 may couple to seal 200through lower cavity 215. Lower arch 230 may include a tab 216 that isconfigured to engage lower cavity 215. As shown in FIG. 2D, the positionof lower arch 230 relative to upper arch 225 may be adjusted by couplinglower arch 230 through another lower cavity 215. In this manner, thetensile force exerted on lower arch 230 relative to upper arch 225 maybe adjusted.

This disclosure contemplates upper arch 225 coupling to seal 200 throughany appropriate number of upper cavities 220. For example, upper arch225 may couple to seal 200 through an upper cavity 220 positioned at apoint along the midline of seal 200. A tab 221 of upper arch 225 may beconfigured to engage upper cavity 220 at the point along the midline.

FIG. 2E shows a cross section of seal 200 coupled to upper arch 225 andlower arch 230. As illustrated in FIG. 2E, a tab 216 of lower arch 230may be configured to engage a lower cavity 215 of seal 200. Althoughthis disclosure describes an oral appliance including tabs that coupleto seal 200, this disclosure contemplates the oral appliance includingany appropriate mechanism to couple to seal 200.

In certain embodiments, seal 200 may be coupled to an oral appliance byway of a deformable material such as an adhesive, a glue, or a gel. Theoral appliance may be first positioned in a user's mouth. Then thedeformable material, such as a glue, may be applied to one or more ofthe oral appliance and/or the seal. The seal may then be pressed ontothe oral appliance and the glue may couple the seal to the oralappliance. In this manner, the seal may be used with an oral appliancethat is not configured to couple to the seal through upper cavities andlower cavities.

FIG. 3A shows an oral appliance that includes a lower arch 300 and anupper arch 305. Lower arch 300 includes an adjustment mechanism 310, andupper arch 305 includes a receiving mechanism 325. Adjustment mechanism310 includes a hook 315 and a threaded adjustor 320.

Lower arch 300 is configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusalsurface of a user's mandibular (lower) arch such that lower arch 300extends beyond the lower cuspids of the user's mandibular arch whenlower arch 300 is positioned in the user's mouth. Lower arch 300 maycover a plurality of the teeth of the user's mandibular arch.Furthermore, a midline of lower arch 300 may align substantially withthe anterior midline of the user's mouth when lower arch 300 ispositioned in the user's mouth. Lower arch 300 may include polycarbonateand/or any other suitable material. For example, lower arch 300 mayinclude thermoplastic polyurethane, acrylic, and/or polyethyleneterephthalate.

Upper arch 305 is configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusalsurface of a user's maxillary (upper) arch such that upper arch 305extends beyond the upper cuspids of the user's maxillary arch when upperarch 305 is positioned in the user's mouth. Upper arch 305 may cover aplurality of the teeth of the user's maxillary arch.

Furthermore, a midline of upper arch 305 may align substantially withthe anterior midline of the user's mouth when upper arch 305 ispositioned in the user's mouth. Upper arch 305 may include polycarbonateresin thermoplastic or any other suitable material. For example, upperarch 305 may include thermoplastic polyurethane, acrylic, and/orpolyethylene terephthalate.

In particular embodiments, adjustment mechanism 310 and receivingmechanism 325 are configured to engage each other to adjust the forwardposition of lower arch 300 relative to upper arch 305. When lower arch300 and upper arch 305 are positioned in a user's mouth, adjustmentmechanism 310 and receiving mechanism 325 may adjust the forwardposition of the mandibular arch relative to the maxillary arch. Althoughthis disclosure shows adjustment mechanism 310 adjusting the forwardposition of lower arch 300 using hook 315 and threaded adjustor 320,this disclosure contemplates adjustment mechanism 310 adjusting theforward position of lower arch 300 using any number of appropriatemechanisms.

Hook 315 is configured to engage receiving mechanism 325. Threadedadjustor 320 may be used to adjust the forward position of hook 315relative to lower arch 300. For example, threaded adjustor may be turnedto move hook 315 closer to the back or front of the user's mouth whenlower arch 300 is positioned in the user's mouth. When lower arch 300and upper arch 305 are positioned in the user's mouth and when hook 315is engaged with receiving mechanism 325, threaded adjustor 320 may beused to adjust the forward position of lower arch 300 relative to upperarch 305. For example, threaded adjustor may be turned so that hook 315and receiving mechanism 325 pull lower arch 300 towards the front of theuser's mouth or push lower arch 300 towards the back of the user'smouth. In this manner, the forward position of the user's jaw may beadjusted to open or close the user's breathing passageway.

Hook 315 and receiving mechanism 325 are configured to move laterallywith respect to each other when hook 315 is engaged with receivingmechanism 325. This allows the user's lower jaw to retain lateralmovement (left to right) when lower arch 300 and upper arch 305 arepositioned in the user's mouth and when hook 315 is engaged withreceiving mechanism 325.

In particular embodiments, the shape and configuration of receivingmechanism 325 may provide space behind a user's upper incisors whenupper arch 305 is positioned in the user's mouth. The user may then resthis tongue in that space, which corresponds to the natural restingposition of the user's tongue. Furthermore, the shape and configurationof receiving mechanism 325 may improve structural support for upper arch305 in particular embodiments.

FIGS. 3B and 3C show different perspectives of upper arch 305. As shown,the shape and configuration of receiving mechanism 325 provide a spacebehind a user's upper incisors in which the user's tongue can rest whenupper arch 305 is positioned in the user's mouth. With thisconfiguration, upper arch 305 does not interfere with the position ofthe user's tongue against the palate. Furthermore, the shape andconfiguration of receiving mechanism 325 improves structural support forupper arch 305.

FIGS. 3D-3F show different perspectives of lower arch 300 and upper arch305 when hook 315 is engaged with receiving mechanism 325. As shown,hook 315 is configured to engage with receiving mechanism 325. Hook 315may move laterally when engaged with receiving mechanism 325. Threadedadjustor 120 may be used to adjust the forward position of hook 315 andlower arch 300 relative to upper arch 305.

This disclosure contemplates an oral appliance where lower arch 300 andupper arch 305 are coupled so that their relative positions are notadjustable. In this manner, the forward position of lower arch 300 maybe fixed relative to the forward position of upper arch 305.

FIGS. 4A-5D show different perspectives of seal 400. As shown, seal 400includes an arched body 405, receiving mechanism 410, pads 415, andridge 420. Seal 400 may be configured to engage an oral appliance 500,as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. This disclosure contemplates seal 400 beingmade of a flexible material such as, for example, liquid silicon rubberor any other appropriate material, such as for example, shore A 40hardness SLR, or similar rubber material, such as Santoprene.

Arched body 405 may be configured to rest in a user's oral vestibule(e.g., the region of the user's mouth between the user's dentition andthe user's lips) and to cover substantially the user's mouth when oralappliance 500 is positioned in the user's mouth. Arched body 405 may beconfigured to extend beyond the cuspids of the user's maxillarydentition when seal 400 and/or oral appliance 500 is positioned in theuser's mouth. In particular embodiments, by substantially covering auser's mouth, arched body 405 inhibits the flow of air through theuser's mouth. In this manner, arched body 405 may prevent drooling andmouth dryness by encouraging the user to breathe through the user's nosewhen the user is sleeping. For clarity, this disclosure will describearched body 405 as resting in the user's mouth, however, this disclosurealso contemplates arched body 405 resting external to the user's oralvestibule.

In certain embodiments, the thickness of arched body 405 may not beuniform. As an example, a portion of arched body 405 may be thinner atan end closer to the user's mandibular arch than a portion at an endcloser to the user's maxillary arch. In this manner, arched body 405 mayallow for movement of the user's mandibular arch when oral appliance 500is positioned in the user's mouth.

Receiving mechanism 410 may be coupled to arched body 405. Receivingmechanism 410 may be configured to engage oral appliance 500. Inparticular embodiments, receiving mechanism includes a tube that engagesoral appliance 500. The tube is configured so that a post of oralappliance 500 may go through the tube. In particular embodiments, thetube includes ridge 420 that engages oral appliance 500. Ridge 420 maybe located on the inside of the tube. When the post of oral appliance500 is positioned into the tube, ridge 420 may engage a portion of oralappliance 500 such that the position of seal 400 is fixed relative tothe position of oral appliance 500.

Receiving mechanism 410 may include a thin section on one side that maycompress and/or fold as oral appliance 500 moves forward. This allowsfor the end of receiving mechanism 410 to remain stationary relative tooral appliance 500, which allows seal 400 to stay in contact with theupper and/or lower trays of oral appliance 500. The thin section may befrom 0.4 mm thick to 2.0 mm thick.

In certain embodiments, receiving mechanism 410 includes a post thatengages oral appliance 500. The post may engage the arched frames oforal appliance 500 so that the relative position of seal 400 is fixedrelative to the position of oral appliance 500. In certain embodiments,seal 400 does not include receiving mechanism 410. In other embodiments,receiving mechanism 410 extends towards the inside of the user's mouthwhen seal 400 is positioned in the user's mouth.

Pad 415 may be coupled to arched body 405. In particular embodiments,pad 415 may separate the arched frames of oral appliance 500 when seal400 is engaged with oral appliance 500. In this manner, pad 415 mayincrease the vertical space in the oral cavity when oral appliance 500is positioned in the user's mouth, which may reduce the amount ofprotrusion of the user's mandible. Pad 415 may also help prevent theuser from clenching the user's jaw. Furthermore, pad 415 may help thearched frames of oral appliance 500 maintain their relative positions.Pad 415 may be molded integrally, or may be assembled. Pad 415 may be ofa thickness ranging from 1 mm to 12 mm. In particular embodiments, seal400 may be molded and supplied with different integral pads 415. Incertain embodiments, pad 415 may clip onto seal 400. These pads 415 mayinclude any appropriate material. For example, pads 415 may include SLRor harder thermoplastics such as nylon or polycarbonate. As anotherexample, pads 415 may include a compressible and resilient material thatcushions the point of contact between the arched frames of oralappliance 500. This disclosure contemplates seal 400 including anyappropriate number of pads 415 coupled to arched body 405 in anyappropriate manner.

Similar to previous embodiments, oral appliance 500 may include an upperarch and a lower arch. The upper arch may include an upper arched frameand the lower arch may include a lower arched frame. The upper archedframe may be configured to be positioned proximate a user's maxillarydentition when the upper arch is positioned in the user's mouth. Thelower arched frame may be configured to be positioned proximate theuser's mandibular dentition when the lower arch is positioned in theuser's mouth. The upper arch and the lower arch may includepolycarbonate or any similar rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic that canwithstand deforming and/or melting at 100 degrees Celsius, such as forexample polycarbonate resin thermoplastic and/or nylon.

In certain embodiments, the upper arch and the lower arch of oralappliance 500 may be coupled to moldable trays. Each moldable tray maybe configured to receive a portion of the user's dentition when oralappliance 500 is positioned in the user's mouth. For example, an uppermoldable tray may be configured to receive a portion of the user'smaxillary dentition and a lower moldable tray may be configured toreceive a portion of the user's mandibular dentition. Each moldable traymay include polycaprolactone.

Seal 400 may include a receptacle 420 and an electronic compliancemonitor 425. Receptacle 420 may be any appropriate structure for holdingelectronic compliance monitor 425, such as for example, a pocket or asleeve. This disclosure also contemplates electronic compliance monitor425 being molded in to seal 400 using silicon rubber. For example, aquickform silicon may be applied over a surface of the electroniccompliance monitor 425 to enclose electronic compliance monitor 425 andto attach electronic compliance monitor 425 to seal 400.

Electronic compliance monitor 425 may monitor certain features of theenvironment around electronic compliance monitor 425, such as forexample, temperature, air flow, movement, pulse, blood oxygen levels(such as for example through pulse oximetry), etc. In certainembodiments, electronic compliance monitor 425 may include a chip and/orsensors that measures such features and logs the measurements forfurther analysis. These measurements may be used, for example, todetermine if seal 400 and/or oral appliance 500 are positioned properlyin the user's mouth or if they are being used appropriately. An exampleof electronic compliance monitor 425 includes the DentiTrac® product.

Electronic compliance monitor 425 communicates measurements to a devicefor real-time monitoring. For example, electronic compliance monitor 425may communicate measurements to a device, such as a mobile phone, overBluetooth. A doctor and a user may then monitor the measurements whenseal 400 and electronic compliance monitor 425 are positioned in theuser's mouth. Adjustments may then be made to seal 400 based on theobserved measurements.

In certain embodiments, electronic compliance monitor 425 is removablefrom receptacle 420 without altering the structure of seal 425. In thismanner, seal 400 may be manufactured without electronic compliancemonitor 425, which reduces the cost of electronic compliance monitor425. It may not be desirable to mold electronic compliance monitor 425into seal 400 in some embodiments because electronic monitoring may notbe performed at all times when seal 400 is positioned in the user'smouth. As a result, a user need not unnecessarily position electroniccompliance monitor 425 in the user's mouth.

This disclosure contemplates electronic compliance monitor 425 beingused with any appropriate oral appliance, and not merely with seal 400.For example, electronic compliance monitor 425 may be coupled to seal200. As another example, any of upper arch 100, lower arch 125, lowerarch 300, upper arch 305, oral appliance 500, and oral appliance 600 maybe configured to couple to electronic compliance monitor 425. Thisdisclosure contemplates using any appropriate mechanism to coupleelectronic compliance monitor 425 to any of the devices disclosedherein. For example, a sleeve may be fitted over a portion (such as apost) of oral appliance 500 and/or oral appliance 600 and electroniccompliance monitor 425 may be coupled to the sleeve.

FIGS. 6A-6B show different perspectives of an oral appliance 600. Oralappliance 600 includes arched frames 605. Arched frames 605 define slots610. Slots 610 may be located on the facial and lingual surfaces ofarched frames 605. In this manner, slots 610 may be positioned proximatethe facial and lingual surfaces of a user's dental arches when archedframes 605 are positioned in the user's mouth. In particularembodiments, slots 610 improve the flexibility of arched frames 605 whenarched frames 605 are being molded based on a user's teeth.

As in previous embodiments, arched frames 605 are configured to bepositioned proximate to the occlusal surface of a user's maxillary andmandibular arches such that the arched frames extend beyond the cuspidsof the user's maxillary and mandibular arches when arched frames 605 arepositioned in the user's mouth. Arched frames 605 may be coupled to eachother by a mechanism.

Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled inthe art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass suchchanges, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications asfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral appliance comprising: an upper archedframe arranged to be positioned within a mouth proximate an upperdentition when the upper arched frame is positioned in the mouth, theupper arched frame comprising a first tab and a second tab, the firsttab and the second tab being positioned, with respect to each other, onopposite sides of a plane substantially bisecting the upper archedframe, wherein the upper arched frame does not deform when heated to 100degrees Celsius; an upper moldable tray coupled to the upper archedframe such that the upper moldable tray extends beyond cuspids of theupper dentition when the upper arched frame is positioned in the mouth,the upper moldable tray arranged to deform when heated such that theupper moldable tray is configured to receive the upper dentition; alower arched frame arranged to be positioned within the mouth proximatea lower dentition when the lower arched frame is positioned in themouth, the lower arched frame comprising a third tab extending from thelower arched frame, wherein a coupling between the first tab and thethird tab exerts a tensile force on the lower arched frame that pullsthe lower arched frame in an anatomically anterior direction in themouth, wherein the third tab is distal to the first tab when the upperarched frame and the lower arched frame are positioned in the mouth,wherein the lower arched frame does not deform when heated to 100degrees Celsius; and a lower moldable tray coupled to the lower archedframe such that the lower moldable tray extends beyond cuspids of thelower dentition when the lower arched frame is positioned in the mouth,the lower moldable tray arranged to deform when heated such that thelower moldable tray is configured to receive the lower dentition.
 2. Theoral appliance of claim 1, wherein the first and second tabs extend fromthe upper arched frame in a buccal direction.
 3. The oral appliance ofclaim 1, wherein the third tab extends from the lower arched frame in abuccal direction.
 4. The oral appliance of claim 1, further comprising acoupler arranged to couple the upper arched frame to the lower archedframe and to establish a position of the lower dentition relative to theupper dentition when the upper and lower arched frames are positioned inthe mouth.
 5. The oral appliance of claim 4, wherein the coupler isarranged to couple to the first tab and the third tab to couple theupper arched frame to the lower arched frame.
 6. The oral appliance ofclaim 1, wherein the upper arched frame is arranged to extend beyond thecuspids of the upper dentition when the upper arched frame is positionedwithin the mouth.